Chapter Text
A few days passed since the mind incident. Darius and Eda exchanged scroll numbers. For the rebellion and for Hunter’s sake. They thought about Raine but realized they were still under extreme watch by Terra. To be on the safe side all parties agreed they should at least look distant to the Owl Lady.
Eda: Goo boy, I’m enrolling Hunter in Hexside tomorrow.
Darius: Call me that again and I will personally assign guards next to the apple blood stands.
Eda: No fun. Anyway I’ll see you tomorrow sir Slugington!
Darius stared at his phone in annoyance. A part of him hated himself for making it so easy for Eda to find another horrid name. He should have worded the threat better. But alas, he knew deep down there was no changing the Owl Lady. Even if her nicknames got worse.
He chuckled remembering one time Raine let it slip Eda called them Reindeer. Oh Titan, that was a good day. The bard truly was a flustered mess, and not because of their third cup of apple blood either.
Speaking of which. Darius got up from his seat by the window in the mess hall hall. “Raine! Ebberwolf and I need help arranging security for a new outpost. It’s in a ravine with no strategic benefits. It needs all the help it can get!”
“Right away Darius. I just need to visit Terra. I’ll meet you in your room.”
“Don’t keep us waiting.” Darius put on his facade.
Raine made their way to Terra. The old hag gave them the creeps. She took way too much pleasure in harming others. That and she was psychotic! Even in her youth she was trying to harm children. In all honesty they couldn’t wait for her to kick the bucket! Buy the farm. Push up the flowers! Whatever saying works!
“There you are sprout! I got your tea. How are you doing?”
Raine smiled and thanked her for the tea. In all honesty they had no idea how long these headaches were supposed to last. Were they permanent? Were they supposed to go away? Was it a set amount of tea and they’d permanently be altered? They weren’t sure but so far the acting was ok, or Terra was a dumbass. But the last thought wasn’t too plausible.
“I’m doing ok. I’m still in shock that the Golden Guard just disappeared. He was so loyal.” They went to blow on their tea.
“No need dear! I noticed how you like it at room temperature. It’s been sitting out for a good 20 minutes. You're welcome, Sprout.” The old hag smiled.
“Well I gave myself second degree burns the first time. So I think I’ll stick with blowing on it.” They quickly weaved the lie. Titan, they hoped they didn’t already use that excuse.
“I see. At least you’ve learned from your mistakes. But you can trust me, Raine. I would never hurt you.”
“I know. You’ve been looking out for me since I was a kid. Thanks for that.” They mumbled. Was the tea that bitter or was it the last sentence said that caused the bitterness?
“Well I shouldn’t keep you from Ebber and Darius. Those two sure have taken a shine to you. By the looks of things some might even see you as friends.” She prodded.
“Nothing like it.” Raine told her. “We’re just coworkers. But we offer different skills to the table. I really shouldn’t keep them waiting. I need to help them with-“
“With that horrid outpost, yes. I hate the placement too. But I’m sure the Emperor has reasons for it being there. We must trust in the coven system.” She placed an assertive hand on their shoulder and shoved them towards her door.
Raine nodded and walked out to Darius’s room. They knocked three times. The two. Then three again. The door opened and they walked in. Stepping on abomination goo and shutting the door. Goo covered the entrance so all were in a rectangular enclosed abomination room. All soundproof.
“Let’s make this quick. I need to help give BB a bath.” Ebberwolf told them both. Titan knows rat worms get angry if schedules aren’t kept.
Darius nodded. “The Owl Lady sent me a message. She’s enrolling Hunter in Hexside. It’s imperative that no one knows he’s there. Be vigilant for any pictures or talk of anything regarding Hexside.”
Ebberwolf held out a wanted poster of the Golden Guard. Thankfully the mask was still on. “They’re offering 25,000 snails for him. I’m sure the bounty will go up as time comes closer to the day of unity. I have razor-sparrows watching the house and him.”
Darius scoffed. “Stalking? Really? Do you not think it’s an invasion of privacy. For Titan's sake I don’t need to know his bathroom schedule. The Owl Lady and Spell Raisor are more than capable of protecting him. What we need to worry about is us. I heard whispers of others knowing that there is a traitor in the ranks and unless it’s another one I fear it may be one of us.”
“He goes once in the morning, once after school and once before bed. FYI.” Ebberwolf told Darius.
Raine hummed and agreed, with the spy thing Darius said. Not the bathroom breaks. “I think it’s us. Terra pointed out that you two are taking a shine to me and she said we almost look like friends. We never even said hi before I was captured. Now we’re eating in the mess hall together once a week and planning together.”
Ebberwolf hummed. “We need to keep our distance.”
“ No!” Darius shut the idea down. “It would look odd to change our behavior without probable cause. We continue what we’re doing. If anyone asks we say that because we captured Raine we feel pride at seeing him do so much for our glorious leader.” He growled at the last part.
Darius glanced at his scroll again. “I also must leave for tomorrow. I hate to ask this, but do you think you two could get my work done for me?”
Ebberwolf shrugged. “Muck and shapes. How hard can it be?”
“You don’t see me making fun of your beasts! But I’m getting distracted. Just count the abominations in storage, ensure none of them are broken. Write a scouting report and I’ll edit when I get back. I should be able to finish off my afternoon rounds.” He explained to the two gender nonconforming individuals.
“Where are you going?” Raine asked.
“To Hexside. I’m not sure why but the Owl Lady wants me there for Hunter’s enrollment. But I’m sure it’s important.” Probably. Maybe. Not really. He knew the wild witch could do it on her own but he wasn’t one to pass up seeing Hunter.
“You know Eda may not seem it but she’s sentimental.” Raine pointed out. “Probably just wants you there for Hunter to remember.”
“Titan the things I do for that brat.” He scoffed.
Raine rolled their eyes. “You’re just as sentimental. Have fun tomorrow.”
———Tomorrow——-
Hunter stood outside the building with Luz and Eda at his side. “Why did we do it on a Saturday? I thought schools only ran on weekdays.”
“Oh they do but any way I can vex Bumpkins is a win in my book. Besides, I think it’s best if we did it with fewer witnesses.” Eda explained.
“So we don’t have to silence so many? Less work for us. Good thinking Owl Lady!” Hunte praised her.
“Silence?! No! Hunter. It’s just gonna look suspicious with the Golden Guard wanted and a sudden teen hanging around me. At least let the others get to know Caleb before the rumors fly. Now where is Muck Man?” She looked around as if to find him on the horizon.
“Must you come up with so many nicknames? It is starting to get old. Older than you.” He jabbed.
“Darius! I didn’t think you’d come.” Hunter grinned ear to nicked ear.
“Hey! I’ll have you know I’m actually Lily’s younger sister thank you very much you dilf!” Eda yelled.
“Please. Like you look any better than me. At least I wasn’t going grey at 24! Also my teeth are straight.” He pointed out.
“Well at least I’m still a free spirit not shackled to a coven and have to pretend to kiss the Emperor’s most likely pasty white a-“
“Eda! Can we please Enroll Hunter now. No one cares about what the Emperor's skin looks like.” She dragged Hunter along and the adults that bickered like children followed the teens.
“Ok fine!” Eda looked at Darius. “Last one there’s a rotten egg!”
She shoved him to the ground before taking off in the direction of the school.
“My clothes!-ak!” Vines entangled him to the ground. “Owl Lady! You’re gonna regret this!”
Eda sprinted and ushered the teens in the building.
Luz tried to turn around. “What happened?”
“Not important! Now go.” She pushed Luz into the building fully.
Quickly she went to the office. “Hey, Bumpikins!” She gave him a few finger guns.
“Eda. What is so important you requested me here on a Saturday? Couldn’t you have come Friday or Monday?” He then watched two more bodies enter his office.
One being a student he praised and enjoyed the company of. Luz the human was quite the celebrity in the school. Even a few teachers looked up to her. Overcoming her own troubles and learning magic in her own unique way.
The other one was different. A sleep deprived teenager with a scar. Bump himself was no stranger to scars but as a kid this young was disturbing to him.
“Eda, what can I do for you?” He had to pull his gaze away from the boy.
“Well, you see I got another kid.”
“I can see. Eda, not that it’s my business but should I be concerned about the kids you just sent to find?”
“Nah. Just need him enrolled. By any chance could you keep h th is on the down low? Kinda a high profile guy.” She offhandedly mentioned.
“Yes, of course. Luz and…”
“Caleb. My name is Caleb sir.” Hunter stood tall with one arm behind his back as he extended the other out for Bump to shake.
“Formal. Clearly not one of yours.” He jabbed at Eda.
“Yeah no. Just got this one a few days ago.” She snorted at the thought.
“A few days ago?!”
“Relax Bump.” She rolled her eyes. “This was the Golden Guard. Did you think I just kidnapped kids for fun?”
“The Golden Guard? Wow.”
Hunter took a hesitant step back behind Luz. Eda and Luz said Principal Bump wouldn’t tell the Emperor. That he would be safe! He trusted Luz, which surprised himself. But he did. She showed him so much kindness, even when he didn’t deserve it. But was Bump going to tell Belos? The reward was pretty high…
“Well, Caleb.” Principal Bump started. “This semester is almost over. Once a new one starts you’ll be enroll-“
The door slammed violently open as head witch Darius growled. His eyes tinted green and arm was still an abomination.
“Hey Muck Man!” Eda laughed.
Darius looked like an angry animal. Didn’t help that he was covered in leaves and dirt. His favorite dress shirt torn from the fall. “Eda!”
He took a single step forwards but was immediately incased on abomination goop. The substance then hardened, essentially trapping him in artificial stone.
“Hexside is not to become a battlefield under my care. Irregardless of stature, Head Witch Darius.” Bump told him in a stone cold Voice.
“Warzone? Owl Lady! What have you been telling him?!”
“Don’t look at me! You’re the nutcase busting in like a rabid animal.” She snorted again.
“You shoved me to the ground and tied me up in vines despite being the one inviting me here for Hunter!” He growled.
“Hunter?” Bump questioned.
Hunter’s face fell. He was caught in a lie. “I’m so sorry sir. I said Caleb because I didn’t want the coven heads to recognize Hunter. I didn’t mean to deceive you.”
Principal Bump thought for a moment. Then hummed in acknowledgement. “Actually that’s not a bad idea. Caleb is what you prefer?”
“Yes sir.”
“Well seeing as you don’t even have records with your other name on them. Getting you officiated as Caleb shouldn’t be too difficult. I can give you the paperwork early if you’d like. Eda could help you. She already helped Luz with it.” Bump explained.
“Let me out!” Darius was still stuck in the trap.
“Oh right.” Bump snapped his fingers and Darius Fell to the ground.
“Why did you even want me here?!” He asked Eda.
“Because starting school is a huge deal yada yada. Besides. I don’t think you should miss this. I mean. Come on. You saw that smile when you showed up!” She shoved Hunter forwards.
“Whatever. It’s not like I had plans or anything!” He growled at her.
“Ok, kissing the Emperor’s-“
“Eda!” Bump yelled. “You may not be a student of mine but I will not tolerate such language, especially in front of my students.”
“Relax. They’re my students too, and I say far worse.” She laughed at her own joke.
Darius brushed himself off and tried to look semi presentable. “If this was all. I do have rounds that need doing.”
Before he left he turned to Bump. “What are the supplies Caleb will need? I can get him the books by next semester.”
Hunter looked around and smiled.